Campanulaceae Field Management 1. Seedling Care
After sowing in the autumn, seedlings should be promptly covered with a thin layer of diluted manure water to promote healthy growth. Once the seedlings reach a height of 3 to 5 cm, it's time to loosen the soil and remove weeds carefully. In late November, after frost has slightly wilted the plants, apply a layer of well-mixed human and animal manure, followed by a layer of loose soil to protect the roots during winter. In early spring, around February or March, repeat this process to ensure proper emergence of new seedlings. This practice is also recommended for spring-sown seeds.
2. Winter Sowing and Spring Seedling Management
After the Miao Qi period in April, regular weeding and soil cultivation are essential. For weak seedlings, combine weeding with top dressing and watering to maintain soil moisture. When the seedlings are 3 to 5 cm tall, perform thinning between them, removing weak or crowded plants. When the height reaches 10 to 12 cm, select the strongest seedlings, spacing them 6 to 10 cm apart, and remove the weaker ones. If there are gaps in the planting area, it’s best to transplant seedlings on rainy days to reduce stress.
3. Weeding and Soil Cultivation
Regular weeding is crucial during the early stages of growth. Manual removal of weeds is preferred to avoid damaging the young plants. Each weeding session should be accompanied by soil loosening to maintain aeration and prevent weed competition. The soil should be loosened gently to avoid root damage. Cultivation should be done when the soil is moderately dry. Avoid cultivating after the plants have been ridged, as this can harm their development.
4. Fertilization During Growth
In addition to base fertilizers applied before planting, multiple top dressings are necessary throughout the growing season. After the seedlings are established, apply diluted manure water. When the seedlings reach about 15 cm, apply another round of fertilizer—such as 20 kg of superphosphate and 12 kg of ammonium sulfate per mu—placed between the rows. Loosen the soil and water if needed. During June and July, when the plant is flowering, apply a light dose of human and animal manure water to support growth. After the plants die back in winter, mix in wood ash or compost with the soil. In the second year, apply more manure to accelerate growth. Before flowering in June and July, apply 10 kg of urea and 25 kg of superphosphate to boost stem and leaf growth and provide nutrients for future rhizome development.
5. Drainage and Water Management
Before the rainy season, clear ditches and loosen the soil to prevent waterlogging. During heavy rains, ensure proper drainage to avoid root rot, which can severely damage the plants.
6. Flower Bud Thinning and Plant Protection
Excessive flowering consumes a lot of energy, affecting root development. To improve root quality and yield, manually remove flower buds. However, since balloonflower blooms for up to three months, with strong apical dominance, buds tend to regrow quickly. Therefore, bud removal should be done every 15 days, totaling 5 to 6 times during the blooming period. This is labor-intensive and may damage leaves. A more efficient method involves spraying 0.075% to 0.1% ethephon solution on the buds at full bloom, using 75–100 kg of solution per acre. This technique is effective, cost-efficient, and safe.
7. Root Control and Planting Density
To achieve straight, solid roots, it's important to control the number of plants per plot. Overcrowding leads to poor root quality. According to observations by Mr. Li Daoji from Anhui, if more than one plant grows from a single seed, root development is hindered. Therefore, maintaining one plant per hole ensures better root formation. During the second year, especially in spring, check for multiple seedlings and remove any excess. Apply phosphate fertilizer while limiting nitrogen and potassium to prevent leggy growth. If needed, pinch off the tops to reduce nutrient consumption and encourage stronger root development.
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